Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)

I also extend a welcome to the chargé d'affaires from Slovenia, a beautiful country that I had the opportunity to visit, and to Councillor Niall Kelleher, his aunt, mum and son Noah, who, I understand, is very interested in politics and very involved in Comhairle na nÓg. I hope they have an interesting and good day in Leinster House.

When driving here this morning, I listened to the news about the Women's Aid annual report. Some of the figures horrified me. Since last year, there has been a 12% increase in contacts and a 17% increase in disclosures. This is the highest figure ever recorded in the 50-year history of Women's Aid. Good work is ongoing within the Government. Only this week, the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, published a targeted implementation plan for the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, with 95 different actions across four strands, namely protection, prevention, prosecution and policy. However, increases of 28% in respect of reported physical abuse, 30% in respect of sexual abuse, 15% in respect of emotional abuse and 5% in respect of economic abuse are shocking. I acknowledge that officials across different Departments and, of course, Cuan have been trying to implement upskilling programmes for professionals across health, social care, different services, the Judiciary and An Garda Síochána. However, I am of the view that this matter has gone beyond what the Minister can do. We need a special Oireachtas committee on gender-based violence. I strongly believe that. The special committee on drug use is just starting its work, and we have had special committees in the past in respect of other crisis issues. I would like that message to go forward.

I had the opportunity earlier to go over to Buswells Hotel for the lobbying event hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, ASI. It was great to see old friends like Helen Rochford-Brennan and Kevin Quaid. I always admire the peer advocacy that the ASI promotes. It was a great opportunity to engage with the CEO, Andy Heffernan, and his terrific team. In the context of budget 2026, the ASI's ask is in line with the programme for Government. It is seeking four new one-day dementia-specific daycare centres. Having seen the success of the one in Kildangan, County Kildare, this is an absolute must. The ASI wants to expand capacity at four existing daycare centres and to have eight new advisers. It is really important that these elements are delivered. Ireland has about 65,000 people with dementia. Sadly, the number is growing all the time. Equally, however, the research around how to prevent it is getting better. It is important to acknowledge what the Minister of State, Deputy O’Donnell, has done in terms of his firm commitment to implement the national dementia register. That will be a really big help across the board. I thank all my colleagues who came to the all-party committee meeting last week. I ask everyone for their support in respect of the ASI is seeking in the budget.